What Is Project Skyquake About?
The premise of Project Skyquake in 258 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
Project Skyquake opens in a world that has already changed, introduced through the testimony of Andrew Derrickson, whose voice-over lends the film a somber, documentary-like gravity. He speaks of the disappearance of his stepdaughter, the student journalist Cassie, and her friend Margot, who ventured into the unknown and never returned. Empty roads, abandoned buildings, and quiet forests form the visual backdrop, hinting at a planet suddenly emptied of billions.
Before that transformation, Cassie had just begun her career as a news editor and reporter at a university in Hungary, drawn to a strange and recurring phenomenon known as “skyquakes.” Across the globe, people report hearing unexplained, trumpet-like sounds rolling down from the sky — an atmospheric mystery dismissed by some, documented by others. Intrigued, Cassie persuades Margot to join her on a trip into the Hungarian countryside, where the sounds have reportedly been heard most intensely, blending the rhythms of a road trip with the slow build of an unsettling investigation.
Along the way, the pair encounters fellow seekers of the truth. A researcher named Hank shares footage that broadens the scope of the phenomenon, while a dedicated sky-watcher called Scott Carmichael offers insight into how widespread and strange these occurrences truly are. With each new connection, the world around them feels quieter and stranger, the landscapes growing emptier as curiosity edges toward something deeper and more unsettling.
Carried by a tone that drifts between quiet wonder and creeping unease, Project Skyquake follows two young women chasing a phenomenon that promises answers — and demands something in return.
What Happens in Project Skyquake?
The complete story of Project Skyquake, from the first scene to the last, in 300 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Andrew Derrickson, played by Simon Bamford, begins the narrative by speaking directly to the camera. He delivers a haunting account regarding the mysterious disappearance of his stepdaughter, Cassie (Laura Ellen Wilson), who worked as a student journalist, and her close friend Margot (Laura Saxon). The two young women vanished near a secluded, small village approximately one month prior to his recording. As Andrew speaks, the visual backdrop consists of bleak, empty roads, desolate abandoned buildings, and silent forests. He reveals a terrifying truth: the world has undergone a fundamental change, and billions of people have inexplicably vanished from the planet.
The story then shifts backward in time to provide footage of the days leading up to the disappearance. Cassie (Laura Ellen Wilson) had recently secured a position as a news editor and reporter at a university located in Hungary. She becomes deeply obsessed with a documented phenomenon known as “skyquakes”—strange occurrences where witnesses report hearing massive explosions or sounds resembling giant trumpets emanating from the sky. Driven by her journalistic curiosity, Cassie convinces Margot (Laura Saxon) to accompany her on a trip to a specific region in Hungary where these auditory anomalies have been reported frequently.
During her investigation, Cassie makes contact with Hank (Tom Sizemore), another researcher who is also studying the phenomenon. After receiving a video from him, she connects with a “sky watcher” named Scott Carmichael (Robert LaSardo). Through Scott, Cassie learns the chilling reality that these skyquake events are not isolated incidents but have actually spread across the entire world.
Seeking the source of the noise, the two women drive deeper into a forest that appears eerily deserted. It is there that they finally experience a skyquake firsthand, leading them to a discovery that is far more significant and unexpected than they ever could have imagined.
Project Skyquake Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Cassie Starts a New Job” to “Billions No Longer Live on the Planet”. 8 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Cassie Starts a New Job
Days before her disappearance, Cassie is newly employed as a news editor and reporter at a university in Hungary. Eager to prove herself in her new position, she begins looking for compelling stories to cover in her role.
Where:University in Hungary
- 2
Fascination with Skyquakes
Cassie becomes fascinated by 'skyquakes', a documented phenomenon in which people report hearing explosions or trumpet-like sounds coming from the sky. She starts digging into reports of these events, treating them as a potentially groundbreaking story.
Where:Hungary
- 3
Convincing Margot to Come Along
Cassie persuades her friend Margot to join her on a trip to a location in Hungary where the sounds have repeatedly been reported. The two plan to investigate the strange phenomenon together.
Where:Hungary
- 4
A Video from Hank
Hank, another researcher of the skyquake phenomenon, sends Cassie a video connected to the events. The footage adds momentum to her investigation and deepens her determination to pursue the story.
- 5
Learning from Scott Carmichael
Cassie learns from the sky watcher Scott Carmichael that the skyquake events have spread worldwide. This revelation transforms her local report into a story of global significance and raises the stakes of the upcoming trip.
- 6
Setting Out for the Hotspot
Cassie and Margot drive out toward the area in Hungary where the sounds have been repeatedly reported. Their journey takes them away from populated areas and deeper into the countryside.
Where:Hungarian countryside
- 7
Entering the Deserted Forest
The pair drive further into an apparently deserted forest near the reported location. The unsettling emptiness of the surroundings hints that something strange is unfolding in the area.
Where:Forest in Hungary
- 8
Experiencing a Skyquake Firsthand
While in the forest, Cassie and Margot experience a skyquake directly, hearing the eerie explosions and trumpet-like sounds for themselves. The encounter confirms that the reports they had been investigating are very real.
Where:Forest in Hungary
- 9
Discovering More Than Expected
In the aftermath of the skyquake, the two friends discover more than they had expected in the forest. What began as a journalistic assignment turns into something far bigger and more disturbing.
Where:Forest in Hungary
- 10
Cassie and Margot Vanish
Cassie and her friend Margot disappear without a trace near a small village in Hungary. Their sudden vanishing leaves no immediate explanation and becomes the central mystery of the story.
Where:Near a small village in Hungary
Show the other 3 events of Project Skyquake Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Andrew Addresses the Camera
A month after the disappearance, Andrew Derrickson speaks directly to the camera to describe the vanishing of his stepdaughter Cassie and her friend Margot. His account frames the events of the days leading up to their disappearance.
When:One month after the disappearance
- 12
Images of an Empty World
As Andrew speaks, the camera shows images of empty roads, abandoned buildings and silent forests. The haunting visuals paint a picture of a world that has been seemingly left deserted.
When:One month after the disappearance
- 13
Billions No Longer Live on the Planet
Andrew explains that the world has changed since the disappearance and that billions of people no longer live on the planet. His statement reveals that the skyquake events led to a catastrophic transformation of the entire world.
When:One month after the disappearance
Who Are the Main Characters in Project Skyquake?
5 characters, among them Andrew Derrickson (Simon Bamford), Cassie (Laura Ellen Wilson) and Hank (Tom Sizemore): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- AD
Andrew Derrickson (Simon Bamford)
Played by Simon Bamford
Andrew is a concerned stepfather deeply affected by the mysterious disappearance of his stepdaughter Cassie. He serves as a narrator, providing insight into the events surrounding her vanishing and unveiling the emotional turmoil faced by family members. His character embodies the personal side of the broader phenomena explored in the film.
- 👨👧 Family
- 🕵️♂️ Investigation
- C(
Cassie (Laura Ellen Wilson)
Played by Laura Ellen Wilson
Cassie is an intrepid student journalist who is captivated by the phenomenon of skyquakes. Her curiosity and determination lead her on an investigative journey that has serious consequences. As a character, she represents ambition and the pursuit of truth, navigating both professional aspirations and personal risks.
- 📰 Journalism
- 🔍 Curiosity
-
Hank (Tom Sizemore)
Played by Tom Sizemore
Hank is a seasoned researcher who provides key insights into the skyquake phenomenon. His character adds depth to the investigation, becoming a pivotal link in unraveling the mystery. He represents experience and the drive for knowledge, portraying the complexity of scientific exploration amid strange occurrences.
- 🔬 Research
- 📚 Knowledge
- M(
Margot (Laura Saxon)
Played by Laura Saxon
Margot is Cassie's close friend who accompanies her on the investigation into the skyquakes. Her character adds a supportive dynamic to the narrative, illustrating the importance of friendship in times of crisis. She is curious and adventurous, embodying youthful enthusiasm amidst escalating tension.
- 👭 Friendship
- 🌍 Adventure
-
Scott Carmichael (Robert LaSardo)
Played by Robert LaSardo
Scott is a sky watcher who informs Cassie about the global spread of the skyquake phenomenon. His character plays a critical role in providing context to the unfolding events and serves as a bridge between personal inquiry and larger societal implications. His insights are essential for the protagonists' understanding.
- 🌌 Skywatching
- 🌍 Global Impact
Where and When Is Project Skyquake Set?
Project Skyquake is set in Hungary, deserted forest and small village. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The film explores contemporary themes concerning societal changes and the aftermath of a global phenomenon. The narrative unfolds in a modern context where unusual events disrupt everyday life and its implications resonate deeply with the characters.
Where
Hungary, deserted forest, small village
The movie is set primarily in Hungary, a country known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes. A small village serves as a backdrop to the mysterious events surrounding the skyquakes. The deserted forest symbolizes isolation and the unknown as characters venture deeper into its silence, searching for answers.
- 🌳 Nature
- 🏘️ Village
- 🌍 Global
What Are the Themes of Project Skyquake?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mysterious Phenomena and Investigative Journalism.
-
01
Mysterious Phenomena
The theme of mysterious phenomena is central to the film, encapsulating the intrigue surrounding skyquakes. These unexplained events invite both fear and fascination, drawing characters into their quest for answers. The disappearance of Cassie and Margot intertwines with the mystery, highlighting how the unknown can impact lives profoundly.
-
02
Investigative Journalism
Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in the narrative, as Cassie takes on the goal of uncovering the truth behind the skyquakes. Her pursuit as a reporter showcases the relentless quest for knowledge, and the risks involved in uncovering hidden realities. This theme emphasizes the importance of truth in a changing world.
What Kind of Film Is Project Skyquake?
Bleak in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bleak
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A bleak found-footage mystery following two journalists into an increasingly deserted world, where strange sky sounds give way to a terrifying global disappearance that strips away all hope.
- ominous
- foreboding
- desolate
- unsettling
- paranoid
- eerie
- missing persons
- journalism investigation
- cosmic mystery
- mass disappearance
Content notes: missing persons, mass death, apocalyptic event, implied violence, grief and loss.
Quiz
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